Green vinyl top

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Rossco
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Green vinyl top

Unread post by Rossco » September 11th, 2019, 5:04 am

Questions I have concerns a new OD green vinyl top I recently purchased while in the USA.

According to the packaging this is a NOS item which had not been unrolled since it was manufactured in the 1980's
When unrolled I find it is covered in white powder, that cleans off easily, and what looks glue which is not so easy to clean off, in fact its really hard to remove even using one of those commercial citrus based cleaners.
Some 6 hours later I have removed most of the glue and only have the rear panel with the window to finish the job!

So my question is it normal to find glue from the maufacturing process all over these NOS vinyl covers and if so what have others used to remove it?

Also the rear window is creased from storage and won't lie flat, will this flatten out when mounted on the vehicle and strapped down with exposure to sun light ?

Roscoe
1973 M-151A2
1960 Seagrave LAFD Hook and Ladder Fire Truck
1953 M38A1 Jeep
1998 Ford Escort XR3i
2007 Ford Focus ST 2.5

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rickf
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Re: Green vinyl top

Unread post by rickf » September 11th, 2019, 9:56 am

Roscoe, I don't know what to suggest for the glue, most people have major problems getting the white powder off and I am thinking they would be interested in knowing how you did that.As far as the window what I would do is lay it out on a flat dark surface in the sun so that the heat from the sun will warm the dark surface under the window and soften it and it should straighten out and that would be a good time to put it on. You could put it straight on but don't try to pull it out smooth right away, put a little tension on it and let it relax a bit at a time until it is straight. Either way should give you safe results.

I have heard of good results with using WD-40 for things like the glue but I have never tried it on the top. Maybe someone who has will chime in.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

Hambone
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Re: Green vinyl top

Unread post by Hambone » September 11th, 2019, 12:39 pm

It's been discussed a few times, it's a PITA! Here's a few suggestions.
https://www.g838.org/viewtopic.php?f=2& ... top#p71342

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m3a1
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Re: Green vinyl top

Unread post by m3a1 » September 11th, 2019, 1:27 pm

May well be that the seam sealer that we are all seeing with "new" vinyl tops is a result of our buying stores that did not pass inspection and were refused by the government. Or, it may well be normal. I left mine as delivered.

Straightening the back windows is problematic. Laying them flat to warm in the sun can create a wavy surface. For your bad crease, my suggestion is that you put it on the truck, weight the back panel and gently work over that crease with a heat gun....and I do mean gently because localized heat on the back window will create a whole new problem for you. Judicious use of a heat gun (and gravity) may work well.

While we are on the topic, bleach is also terribly hard on the stitching which does have some natural fibers in it.

Cheers,
TJ

Rossco
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Re: Green vinyl top

Unread post by Rossco » September 12th, 2019, 4:00 pm

Thanks Guys

From the earlier thread provided by Hambone it looks like the citrus solvent has worked for others so that a good thing. It certainly takes some time to let the citrus soften the glue and then scrape it all off

Haven't had an issue with the white talc like storage powder so far as it seems to come of with the citrus spray as well, i guess time will tell if this is the case.

As I am removing the water sealant from the seams etc. is there a product I can/should apply to the inside seams so I can take it out in the rain?
With summer on the way down here I will see how nature can assist with straigtening the rear window, if all that fails then will look at getting a new window stiched into the top!

Thanks
Roscoe
1973 M-151A2
1960 Seagrave LAFD Hook and Ladder Fire Truck
1953 M38A1 Jeep
1998 Ford Escort XR3i
2007 Ford Focus ST 2.5

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rickf
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Re: Green vinyl top

Unread post by rickf » September 12th, 2019, 5:40 pm

Look to the marine stores in your area, I am sure they will have several products that will fit the bill.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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